How to Reset the Ink Level on a HP F4135 Printer

By Michelle Miley

Overview

To save money, many of us refill the used ink cartridges in our computer printers. Unfortunately, printer manufacturers often make more money selling printer supplies than they do the selling the printers themselves. This has led to Hewlett Packard and other manufacturers embedding serial numbers in their ink cartridges. The serial number is stored in the printer and, if a used cartridge is reinserted, the printer does not allow the program that monitors ink levels to recognize the refilled cartridge as being full. It is possible to trick the HP F4135 printer into accepting refilled ink cartridges using the following method.

Ink cartridges in an HP printer.

Step 1

Turn both the computer and the printer off and remove the ink cartridge from the printer. Examine the ink cartridge and locate the panel that contains several small metal squares. These squares are electronic contacts and must be treated with care. Note that the contacts are arranged in six columns.

Step 2

Cut a piece of the masking tape into a small square, just big enough to cover one of the metallic contacts. Place the tape square over the top contact in the second column. Make sure that the tape covers this contact only and does not overlap onto others.

Step 3

Insert the cartridge into the printer and turn the printer on. The printer will run through a cycle and possible print a test page.

Step 4

When the printer is done cycling, remove the ink cartridge. Again cut a small square of masking tape to the size necessary to cover one of the contacts. This time cover the top contact in the fifth column.

Step 5

Place the cartridge back into the printer. Again the printer will run through a cycle and may print a test page.

Step 6

Remove the ink cartridge from the printer. Cut two more pieces of tape. This time, place one piece of tape over the top contact in the sixth column. Put another piece of tape over the second contact in the fifth column. (This piece of tape should be directly under the one applied in step 4.)

Step 7

Again place the cartridge into the printer and allow the printer to cycle and/or print a test page.

Step 8

Take the ink cartridge out of the printer and remove all five pieces of tape. Be sure that there is no tape residue left on the cartridge. Place the cartridge back into the printer after all of the tape has been removed.

Step 9

Turn the printer off. Wait 30 seconds and then turn the printer back on.

Step 10

Boot the computer and check your ink levels. They should now read full.

Skill: Moderate

Ingredients:

Masking tape

Scissors

Ink cartridge

Printer

Computer

Tip: Remember that this procedure will work most, but not all, of the time. If the process does not work after the second attempt, it is a good idea to either buy a new cartridge or use the current cartridge without an accurate ink level reading.

Warning:

Be sure to use a high quality tape designed to be removed, such as masking tape.

If there is any residue remaining on the ink cartridge after the tape has been removed, be sure to clean the contacts with an agent approved for cleaning electronic components. Other cleaners may damage the circuitry.

Be aware that reusing ink cartridges may void some or all of the manufacturer's warranty.